Self-appointed Authority Figures

[David Murphy]

I'm taking my son to the car races tonight. The rules on the track web site say no "professional-type" cameras are allowed -- I guess this excludes an SLR with a telephoto zoom -- so much for my career as a speedway photographer 🙂

 

[35mmdelux]

I came up on a Marine Corps house in Costa Rica that had been bombed a few months earleir by Sandinista Revolutionaries (1984). Ignorantly I took a few pictures. A block down the street two jeeps cornered me and 5-6 armed guys asked me why I was taking fotos. I told them I liked the neighborhood and that I was an American, which he could probably tell from my accent.

I used my pursuasive powers successfully that day, but given the circumstances I should have ripped the film out and handed it to him. These guys were pro and 1 or 2 could have polished me off or at least broken my camera.

Closer to home I'm more belligerent. My responses always include the words "why," "according to whom," and "How am I supposed to know without a sign."

 

[David Murphy]

35mmdelux. Nice story. Now, who are you working for and who sent you here?

I came up on a Marine Corps house in Costa Rica that had been bombed a few months earleir by Sandinista Revolutionaries (1984). Ignorantly I took a few pictures. A block down the street two jeeps cornered me and 5-6 armed guys asked me why I was taking fotos. I told them I liked the neighborhood and that I was an American, which he could probably tell from my accent.

I used my pursuasive powers successfully that day, but given the circumstances I should have ripped the film out and handed it to him. These guys were pro and 1 or 2 could have polished me off or at least broken my camera.

Closer to home I'm more belligerent. My responses always include the words "why," "according to whom," and "How am I supposed to know without a sign."

 

[Ronald_H]

To be frank, I never had problems in the Netherlands. I'm not much of a traveller, but I do take a camera practically everywhere. I don't like confrontations, but I can stand my ground.

A few months ago there was an oldtimer festival in town. Someone in a gorgeous Porsche Speedster was about to get a parking ticket, For some reason our local law enforcement was driving around on Segways. While they were buzzing around the Porsche and in a heating discussion with the owner, I took a number of shots. They looked at me suspiciously, but nothing happened.

 

[FrozenInTime]

For some reason our local law enforcement was driving around on Segways. While they were buzzing around the Porsche and in a heating discussion with the owner, I took a number of shots. They looked at me suspiciously, but nothing happened.

After seeing the film 'Mall Cop' on a recent flight across to the states, I can no longer take cops on Segways seriously 😀

 

[kuzano]

Two responses that work for me.....

Two responses that work for me.....

"Hey, I'm just practicing. I don't even have film in this camera!"

For when I'm shooting digital.

For when I'm shooting film, I have a used film cassette in my pocket. I palm it, and fiddle with my camera. It looks as if I am taking the film out of the camera. I strip the film out of the cassette and yell, "There.... Are you satisfied?"

 

[AgentX]

If you're in public and making a ruckus, you should expect to be photographed. End of story.

If Al Kaplan doesn't take any s**t, neither will I.

The cops and security guards may think you're a terrorist, and the agitators and revolutionaries think you're a cop. Funny thing, that.

 

[peterm1]

The cops in Australia are usually pretty cool The conversation is something like this "Guddai maaite wotcher doing?" "Taking photos" "No wurries mate"

But from time to time I have some self appointed nincompoop presume to tell me that I cannot take photos here, there or somewhere else. If its an enclosed mall and the person is a mall cop usually I just say "no wurries mate" myself, and wander off. If its in a public area they get a lecture on the law of privacy and if they persist I tell them to bugger off and threaten to call the police and have them charged with harassment. That usually sorts the matter out.

 

[wgerrard]

Anything you can photograph you can look at. While the mall cop is pestering some photographer, the Real Bad Guy is probably standing a few feet away memorizing every detail.

I would think the "Have you stopped everyone with a camera phone?" argument would carry some legal weight, since they'd need to establish that something about you or your camera was illegal versus all those cellphones.

 

[Bnack]

funny... I was contemplating this question the other day. I saw a movie (Adam...and I recommend it) and a man who has had a tough day stops at school to watch the children playing in the schoolyard. It follows that someone saw and called the cops on him. Frankly, I think it's just sad that we seem to assume the worst in people these days. Maybe it's too much news and internet... maybe it's always been that way.. not sure... but I still find it sad.

 

[MacDaddy]

SO FAR the only time I was confronted was while shooting the rococo trim of a 1940's apartment building. A belligerent tenant came up to me (I was in the street at the time-well into public property) and demanded I hand her my film. I explained that first, a digital camera HAS no film and second, that I bluntly found her quite boring compared to the architecture and wouldn't waste my energies photographing HER!
When she turned and stalked off, I took a VERY unflattering photo of her from behind just for spite and then anonymously mailed a copy to the building management to share with the tenants ! (It's amazing how distorted a butt gets when photographed from ground level!)
Ain't I BAD!!??? *o)

 

[MCTuomey]

my response to an authoritiarian demand on the street is proportionally calm, firm, and polite. mostly i try to shoot with confidence, giving the appearance that i'm supposed to be there doing what i'm doing. i'll get the occasional challenge, no biggie. based on my experience, i seem to have more difficulty with folks with arabic background. i think i understand the sensitivity to photo-taking on their part.

one incident in Detroit's Eastern Market this summer was memorable. i had just snagged a couple of exposures of an arabic woman wearing the burkah in what seemed lovely light. kept walking after the shots. about a block away i become aware that i'm being chased. this fellow grabs my shoulder from behind, stops me, and starts proclaiming loudly right in my face that i've insulted him, his wife, and family. he's angry. he wants my film. now i'm kinda large (6'3" and about 230#) but no matter, this guy's aggressive. i looked him in the eye and said slowly, "you know, i took those pictures because your wife is beautiful and that's what i try to shoot: beauty. i'm sorry you see it differently. i meant no disrespect." he stared hard at me. i thought for a moment he was looking to have a go. then he said, "oh, okay, i didn't know." and he walked away without another word. sometimes a compliment can defuse a confrontation.

 

[Turtle]

I made the mistake of taking street photos in the wake of Diana's death. To the supicious it was incredulous that I could be claiming to take street shots because I enjoyed it. I had to have an ulterior motive related to [instert: abusing/perving over/plotting/snooping] + [insert: children/celebrities/women/].

 

[shiro_kuro]

When shooting at night in Waikiki along Kuhio Ave. I always get asked if I am with the liquor commission or a cop ...... tell them yes and please don't smile for the camera ; )

The other night a street artist set up on a public side walk ,told me I could not photograph him or his work ..that it was illegal and his work is protected blah blah blah.....I did not realize he was talking to me until he made a move to push my camera away.... the funny thing ..I was not photographing him at all or his work .. though I thought about beating him about the head with my Makina . I mean you just don't touch a man's camera ..; )

I usually stand my ground when confronted .. I am realizing more and more its not worth it .. just keep moving and don't let people suck your energy ... try and stay invisible and keep shooting .

 

[MCTuomey]

I usually stand my ground when confronted .. I am realizing more and more its not worth it .. just keep moving and don't let people suck your energy ... try and stay invisible and keep shooting.

Agree - it's the shooting that matters so let the other "stuff" pass.

 

[OurManInTangier]

For me there is no one method; just deal with each case as it comes. I used to get really annoyed when confronted by someone who immediately treated me like a criminal or pervert. However calmness, an authorative tone and demeanour plus a little knowledge is the answer.

As an aside, most of the times I've been told to stop shooting have been when I've been using an SLR. Though Al's advice about wearing a suit rings true in my experience. I finished covering an event in London, one that required me wearing a suit ... albeit a cheap and comfortable one. Having finished early I got the pictures sent out and spent the remainder of the day wondering around with my camera and a 35mm lens. It soon became clear that despite being 'noticed' by both members of the public, police officers and so called RentaCops, nobody seemed to think I should be approached.

I'm now wondering if the next step is top hat and tails which may allow me full access to whatever I want😀

Its a worrying trend but more often than not easily resolved in the photographers favour. Though a very good point was made regarding there being a large number of places that we, as photographers, cannot expect to have a right to photograph without prior permission being sought ... this is something that also needs to be kept in mind if we hope and expect for sense/reason to prevail.

 

[Al Kaplan]

There's more to it than just wearing "a suit and tie". The idea is to blend in with the top people. If it's someplace you go frequently you can get very specific in your dress. Is a blazer and slacks acceptable or do the top executives wear suits? Cuffs or no cuffs? Pleats or plain front. Spread collar or button down shirts? White, or can you wear light blue or French blue? Go for natural fabrics. If loafers are OK should they be tassel or penney loafers? Lace up dress shoes give you a choice between wing tip or cap toe. If in doubt wear cap toes. Ties should always be silk; they knot and drape better because they're limp. As a photographer you're looked upon as a "creative person" so you can get a bit wilder here than an accountant. No need to stick to rep stripes but don't go crazy with wild colors and designs. A bit of red is a symbol of power.

All of these things send subtle messages about your standing in the overall order of things. Tell yourself that you are the president of YOUR company, and look the part. Stand and walk like you have a purpose. Be friendly but speak with authority. You don't want to come across as lording it over anybody. It's all about creating illusions...LOL...and it works.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

All of these things send subtle messages about your standing in the overall order of things. Tell yourself that you are the president of YOUR company, and look the part. Stand and walk like you have a purpose. Be friendly but speak with authority. You don't want to come across as lording it over anybody. It's all about creating illusions...LOL...and it works.

and a new M9 would really put the icing on the cake Al!....have you got your name down? 😀
Dave😉

 

[Al Kaplan]

Dave, actually for reasons I don't quite understand, I seem to get more favorable comments on Leicas showing a bit of brass, things like "Boy, I bet THAT camera has some stories it could tell!" That old button rewind M2 of mine was at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, both the Democratic and Republican conventions in 1972, photographed several presidents and presidential candidates at private parties... Changing from ties and jacket to tie dyed T-shirts and jeans I took it to several rock festivals. It's partied with Jefferson Airplane, the Grateful Dead, Ike and Tina Turner, and might still have the faint odor of cannibus smoke, and perhaps even some traces of white powder mixed into the hard-as-rock grunge in the knurlings. People enjoy the stories and the negatives can always be scanned.

No, my name is NOT down on the list. It'd be too much trouble to teach new cameras how to operate me. I'm extremely complicated and I can't find the instruction book. Also, my doc tells me that I'm out of warranty.

http://thepriceofsilver.blogspot.com

 

[OurManInTangier]

I demur to Al here, you're clearly an elegant and sartorially aware gent, whereas I know nothing of these things...I haven't even heard of wing-tips😱😀

Not only can I learn about photography here at RFF I can also learn about the upper echelons of men's tailoring. Though my wife hogs most of the cupboard and drawer space so I shan't be able to expand my wardrobe considerably.